On-bill financing on the books, at last

There are still some governmental hoops to jump through, but the really heavy lift — getting on-bill financing of green energy projects on the law books — has been accomplished.

Making it possible for more people to get more of their power from photovoltaic solar panel systems should be a significant advance for the state’s renewable energy goals, if not a quantum leap.

The enactment of Senate Bill 1087 will allow the state to issue bonds for a loan fund; loans to install the PV systems can be paid off gradually, right on the electric bill.

The state energy office is already getting calls from other states interested in following our lead.

Google goes hiking, with a little help

What’s the value of "cool"? It must be worth something. How many companies can get people with strong backs to work for free, trudging for miles with heavy packs?

Google, it seems, has that kind of cachet. Otherwise, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau wouldn’t have been able to find volunteers to carry towering cameras with 15 lenses.

Instead, the staff of Hawaii Forest and Trail Ltd. stepped forward, eager to carry the backpacks to popular Hawaii trails and scenic spots. Of course, they work for an ecotourism company, so maybe it will all pay off for them.

But for Google, it will pay off, too. Google Maps will use the imagery to create its signature panoramic views. Surely this company has the bucks to hire their trekkers — or at least spot them to a little trail mix.